My Weekend Churn Results & Chase Ink Plus & Bold Updated Lower Spend Offers

I’m a little late to report my results for one of my periodic credit card churns, one that was actually easier than normal, though I have no idea why. No calls to any reconsideration lines required! Here are my results:

• Chase Ink Plus® Business card - Instant approval, SHOCKED!  My Chase business card applications usually require a call into the reconsideration line. I already have the Chase Ink Bold, so I decided to get another 50,000 points with the Chase Ink Plus.  The offer I applied for expired this morning, but rewarded 25,000 Ultimate Reward points after your first purchase and an additional 25,000 points after spending $10,000 in the first three months.  There were some hoping that the new offers today would be considered new products, allowing individuals to earn the bonus points again, however I think this is very unlikely as nothing is changing besides the spend requirements.  The new offer is the same 50,000 Ultimate Reward points, but you only need to spend $5,000 in the first three months. The only way to potentially get additional points out of this may be to ask for a match to the new offer, which could result in Chase manually adding your points after meeting the $5000 threshold instead of waiting for the card to hit $10,000 in spend.  The system may then automatically apply a second set of points after hitting the originally agreed to threshold if the hard coded offer hasn’t been changed.  This happened the last time the offer was changed and Chase reps had to manually adjust the threshold terms for some card members.  Regardless, if you don’t yet have a Chase Ink Plus or Chase Ink Bold, both offers now offer the same bonus 50,000 UR points, but with the spending requirements cut in half.  Remember, while the Vanilla reloads may no longer be available at Office Depot, you can still use the Chase Ink Plus or Bold  to buy the Vanilla Visa card at Office Depot and earn 5X Ultimate Rewards points. If you decide to apply and don’t get approved automatically, give Chase Business Reconsideration a call @ 1-800-453-9719.

• Hyatt Credit Card- Instant approval for this Chase personal card. With this card your bonus offer is dependent upon your status with Hyatt.  Regardless, you receive two free nights at any category Hyatt property worldwide after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. Diamond members receive 2 free nights in a suite, platinum members receive 2 free nights & 2 Suite Upgrades, and regular gold passport members receive simply two free nights. The card also offers no foreign exchange fees, chip protection, though it requires a $75 fee.  I was in need of the two free Hyatt nights so the $75 was more than worth it for me.  The card also provides double points on restaurant transactions, airline tickets purchased from the airlines, and car rental agency transactions. Upon spending $20,000 in a calendar year, you’ll receive 2 stay and 5 night credits and 3 stay and 5 night credits after 40,000 in spend.

• Citibank Hilton HHonors Reserve - Instant approval, which is a huge change for me with Citi, considering the standard application pending message I’ve become accustomed to receiving when applying for the AA cards.  Seems like Citi wants to give me a card, just not with an AA logo.  Anyway, the card offers two free weekend certificates at any Hilton, no foreign transaction fees, complimentary HHonors Gold Status, 10 bonus points per $1 for Hilton purchases, 5 for airline and car rental purchases, and 3 for every $1 spent on anything else. While the limitation that the free nights are for weekends isn’t the greatest, I love that the free nights are good at any category 1-7 property. I also like that you receive gold status without having to hit a certain amount in purchases each year. Again, not the most amazing bonus but I know exactly where I want to redeem the two nights and the current rate is over $400 per night, making this card well worth the annual fee. If you have a destination in mind, check out the rates and see if this card can save you $$.

…for those thinking of a Churn, remember, Chase is currently offering a 40k sign up bonus for the Sapphire Preferred card, a 50k sign up bonus for the Ink Bold, and a 50k sign up for the Ink Plus, providing the opportunity to earn up to 140,000 Ultimate Rewards Points. I’d focus on these cards over other Chase cards (Hyatt, Marriott, etc.) if you don’t already have some of these.

Potential Reader Strategy -  I would apply for the Ink Plus (credit card) or Ink Bold (charge card – pay in full each month), both of which are business cards, and then on the same day apply for a Sapphire Preferred card. Whichever one you don’t end up selecting, be sure to include it a few months from now in a future application or when the annual fee on your selection comes due. What’s so great about these chase cards and why do I use them more frequently than my favorite SPG card?

Chase Ink Bold®  Business Card

I applied for this card on the same day as the Sapphire Preferred card above.  They both earn Ultimate Rewards points which can be combined.  This is a business card but don’t let the title fool you, individuals can apply as well(eBay selling, a hobby, or side business qualify…see the bottom of this page for further details).  The card is currently awarding 50,000 points for new applicants, combined with the 40k for the Sapphire Preferred you’ll have close to 100k Ultimate Rewards points. You’ll receive 50k points after $5000 spend in the first three months and get 5 points for every $1 spent at office supply stores, on cell phone and land-line bills, internet, and cable tv services, 2 points for every $1 on gas and hotel charges, 1 point on all other purchases, and no foreign transaction fees. The card also comes with complimentary lounge access via the LOUNGE CLUB. The annual fee is waived for the first year and is $95 thereafter.  All points are yours even if you choose to cancel after the first year. Like the Sapphire card above, benefits include 1 to 1 point transfers with United, Southwest, British Airways, Korean Air, Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Hyatt, Priority Club, and Amtrak. Check out a full write-up on the benefits of the card as well as how to up your bonus here. You can apply for the card here.   **You should consider applying for this card and the Sapphire card on the same day, which will likely result in only one credit pull instead of two.**  See this post for additional details on how to apply as well as the numbers to call for reconsideration.  Remember, when combined with the Sapphire Preferred offer above this is essentially 100k Ultimate Rewards points.  100k points is enough for 4 domestic coach tickets, a business class ticket to Europe, or a coach ticket to Africa, Asia, or Australia.  Alternatively, these can be redeemed for several Hyatt, Marriott, or Priority club hotel nights.

• Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• No interest charges because it’s a pay in full charge card
• Earn up to 5X points per dollar on eligible business purchases, and points do not expire
• Transfer points at full value to participating travel programs.
• Direct access to a live service advisor anytime.
• Introductory Offer – First Year Free ($95 thereafter)

Chase Ink Plus®  Business Card 

Chase has released the Ink Plus Business card which is the credit card edition of the Ink Bold (which is a charge card). Remember, a credit card allows you to pay part of your bill each month while a charge card requires you to pay your balance in full.  The most exciting part of the new card announcement is that the Ink Plus is considered a separate product from the Ink Bold, which means you can obtain both bonuses (in addition to the Sapphire bonus).  All terms and conditions are the same as the Ink Bold above and you’ll receive 50k points after $5000 spend in the first three months.  You can apply for the Ink Plus card here. Again, see the bottom of this page for details as to why you have a business without even knowing it. With the Sapphire Preferred (40K), Ink Bold (50K) and the Ink Plus (50K), you’ll have 140k Ultimate Rewards points in no time. Once you meet the minimum spend, you’ll essentially have enough points for a first class ticket to Europe, Africa, Asia or Australia on some of the nicest airlines in the world.

• Reward yourself with 50,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• With Ink Plus, you have the cash flow flexibility with the choice to pay over time or pay in full
• Earn 5X points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent annually at office supply stores, and on cellular phone, landline, internet, and cable TV services
• Earn 2X points per $1 on the first $50,000 spent annually at gas stations and for hotel accommodations when purchased directly with the hotel
• No foreign transaction fees
• Free employee cards
• 1:1 point transfer to participating travel programs with no transfer fees
• Get 20% off travel redemptions when booked through Ultimate Rewards.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Visa Signature Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred has been my go to card for travel and restaurant purchases since I first obtained it almost two years ago. The card earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel (taxis, train, etc. are all included) as well as when dining at restaurants and the points are super valuable with 1:1 transfers to several airlines and hotels, including United Airlines. I absolutely love the card and Ultimate Rewards.  If I’m not using the SPG cards above, I’m using this card. All customer service calls are answered by actual human beings and you’ll never be greeted by an automated system.  The current offer is 40,000 points upon spending $3000 in the first three months.  Card members receive: 1 point for ever $1, 2 points per $1 on dining and travel (air, hotel, cruises, rental cards, trains, and taxis), no foreign transaction fees, and first year free.  1 to 1 point transfers are offered with United (Star Alliance), Southwest, British Airways (Oneworld), Korean Air (SkyTeam), Ritz Carlton, Marriott, Hyatt, Priority Club, and Amtrak.  Additionally, there is a 7% annual point dividend on all points earned, which means the sign up bonus is actually worth over 40,000 points! The 40,000+ points can go a long way depending on which redemption partner you choose.  For example, see where you can go with the 40k on United including any of their Star Alliance (Lufthansa, Singapore, Swiss, Thai, etc.) partners.  More impressive, look where 100-150k can take you, if you sign up for the Sapphire and a Bold (continuing reading below) you are set in BUSINESS CLASS to Europe or Asia or can get two coach tickets!  32.5 coach each way to Hong Kong or 60k each way in business, 40k coach each way to Johannesburg or 60k each way in business, or 40K coach each way to Sydney, Australia or 67.5k each way in business. After the first year there is an annual fee of $95, however you are free to cancel at the end of the year and you will be able to keep all earned points (just remember to move them to another UR account).  The card also includes some great warranty and purchase protection benefits. Check out a full write-up on the benefits of the card as well as how to up your bonus here.  You can apply for the card here. Also, remember that Chase generally matches all publicly available offers for up to 90 days after signing up, meaning that if a better offer comes along with a lower spending requirement or a higher bonus you can ask to be matched.

• 40,000 bonus points after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months- that’s $500 toward travel rewards!
• 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining at restaurants & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
• Get 20% off airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises when you redeem through Ultimate Rewards^SM
• No foreign transaction fees
• Receive a 7% Annual Points Dividend on all new points earned on purchases – even on points already redeemed
• 1:1 point transfer to leading frequent travel programs – that means 1,000 Ultimate Rewards points equal 1,000 partner miles/points
• Direct access to expert service advisors anytime
• Introductory Annual Fee of $0 the first year, then $95

What else is great about this card? All customer service calls are answered by actual human beings and you’ll never be greeted by an automated system. The 40,000 points can go along way depending on which redemption partner you choose. For example, see where you can go with the 40k on United including any of their Star Alliance partners. More impressive, look where 100-140k can take you: 32.5 coach each way to Hong Kong or 60k each way in business, 40k coach each way to Johannesburg or 60k each way in business, or 40K coach each way to Sydney, Australia or 67.5k each way in business. After the first year there is an annual fee of $95, however you are free to cancel at the end of the year and you will be able to keep all earned points. The card also includes some great warranty and purchase protection benefits.

Did you know that with these points you could fly business class on the Emirates A380 with a transfer of points to Korean Air? See how here. What about a hotel stay in Phuket, Thailand? See more details here.